(The Westin Bayshore Hotel, Vancouver, Canada – May 10 – 12, 2010)
Conference Theme: “Innovative Financing for a Greener Economy”
ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS
DATE, VENUE AND HOST:
The 33rd ADFIAP Annual Meetings hosted by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) will be held at The Westin Bayshore Hotel, Vancouver, Canada from May 10 to 12, 2010.
Hotel Accommodation
The Westin Bayshore Hotel
1601 Bayshore Drive
Vancouver, BC V6G 2V4
CANADA
Telephone Number: + 1 (604) 682 3377
Fax Number: + 1 (604) 687 3102
Web address: www.westinbayshore.com
Host Institution
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
BDC Building, 5 Place Ville Marie
Suite 300, Montreal, Quebec H3B 5E7
CANADA
Telephone Number: + 1 514 283 0406
Fax Number: + 1 514 283 7838
Email: www.bdc.ca
Contact Person: Ms. Dominique Carle, Senior Advisor, Special Events
ORGANIZER
Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP)
2nd Floor, Skyland Plaza, Senator Gil Puyat Avenue
Makati City 1200, PHILIPPINES
Telephone Number: + 63 2 816 1672
Fax Number: + 63 2 817 6498
Email: “>www.adfiap.org
Contact Person: Ms. Sandy I. Lim, Membership and Events Management Consultant
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British citizens and British Overseas Citizens who are re-admissible to the United Kingdom;
persons holding passports or travel documents issued by the Holy See.
Please visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp for more information.
Please contact your travel agent if you need visa assistance. The Business Development Bank of Canada will issue letters of invitation as soon as we receive the name/s of your delegate/s and accompanying persons. We expect to receive your confirmation of attendance not later than March 15, 2010 to allow ample time for visa processing.
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
Most of the delegates are expected to disembark at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). All physical importations and exportations of currency and monetary instruments equal to or greater than CAN$10,000 must be reported to Canada customs.
Public Greeting Area – International & U.S. Arrivals
Most passengers arriving from International & U.S. destinations will come to the Public Greeting Area in the International Terminal. After clearing the customs and immigration processes and collecting your baggage, you will enter an area called the International Reception Lounge. Follow the exit sign and proceed through the glass doors to the Public Greeting Area where BDC representatives will welcome you. Transportation to the Westin Bayshore Hotel will be provided.
Assistance
If you cannot find BDC representatives, please report to the Customer Care Counter located in the Public Greeting Area and ask that BDC representatives be paged.
DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Regardless of your destination, all passengers are required to go through pre-board screening before going to their gate for departure. At the airport, there are security checkpoints in ALL terminals. Passengers should follow the signs to their assigned gate to find the closest security checkpoint. Note that if you are traveling via the United States, you will also be processed through US immigration formalities before boarding your plane. Make sure that all your documents are in order BEFORE arriving at the airport to avoid delays.
The Business Development Bank of Canada will offer transportation to the Vancouver airport. Details will be provided during the meeting.
FACTS ABOUT VANCOUVER:
Surrounded by water on three sides and nestled alongside the Coast Mountain Range, Vancouver is the largest city in the province of British Columbia with over half a million residents. Home to spectacular natural scenery and a bustling metropolitan core, Vancouver is home to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. There is always something to do in Vancouver, whether it is simply to relax in a park, or ride a bike around the seawall.
POPULATION AND LANGUAGE
Canada has two official languages – English and French. English is the predominant language in British Columbia.
Because of Vancouver’s cosmopolitan and mix of many multicultural groups, the city is unofficially considered multilingual. Many banks, hotels, airline offices, service institutions, shops and key tourist destinations have multilingual staff. After English and Chinese, the most common spoken languages are Punjabi, German, Italian, French, Tagalog (Filipino) and Spanish.
WEATHER
Vancouver boasts one of the mildest climates in Canada thanks to the warm water currents. From high 70’s F (low 20’s C) in summer to a mild mid 40’s F (0º to 5ºC) in winter, the climate is always hospitable. In May, you can expect an average high of 65ºF (18ºC).
SMOKING LAWS
Every municipality in Metro Vancouver has different rules for smoking in public places such as public buildings, restaurants and pubs. Within the City of Vancouver, smoking is not permitted by law in all indoor public spaces, including public transit, shopping malls, restaurants, pubs, nightclubs and casinos. Smoking is not permitted within six meters of an entryway, a window that opens or the air intake of a building. Signage will be posted to indicate the applicable smoking restrictions. Please smoke only in designated areas.
MOVING ABOUT
The city has a plethora of transportation options to help you get around including the exotic (float planes, helicopters, a gondola, or a ferry to go island hopping), and the standard for the city (buses, shuttle buses, taxis, trolleys, SkyTrain). There is also the SeaBus which goes back and forth between Vancouver and the North Shore, and smaller ferries to explore False Creek. Paddlers will have a blast canoeing and kayaking, or if you prefer, take a power boat or sailboat out to enjoy a view of the city from the water. Despite the range of ways to hop on and ride, often the best way to get to know Vancouver and the North Shore is to walk around. Vancouver boasts an excellent array of trails, paths and walkways, and the city streets are full of sights you won’t want to miss.
For more information, visit www.tourismvancouver.com
TIPPING AND TAXES
Prices displayed in Canada do not include sales tax and it is generally customary to add a tip for services. Although tipping is personal, restaurant servers typically get 15%-20% of the bill and taxi drivers usually get 15% of the tab. One dollar can cover many situations with exception for a concierge, who generally receives $5-$10 for standard service (additional assistance suggests more). Goods and services tax of 5% applies on every transaction in Canada with exception for basic groceries. In BC, consumers can expect to pay an additional 7% sales tax, not applicable to food, ferries or accommodations. 10% tax is charged on accommodations and alcoholic beverages sold in bars and restaurants.
CURRENCY:
The Canadian dollar, sign ($), code (CAD), is divided into 100 cents. In common everyday usage, they are called “bills” and are issued in five, ten, twenty, fifty and hundred dollar denominations while the coins have six denominations: 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, $1, and $2. Though officially titled the One Cent Piece, Five Cent Piece, Ten Cent Piece, Twenty-Five Cent Piece, One Dollar Coin and Two Dollar Coin, they are colloquially referred to as the penny, nickel, dime, quarter, loonie and toonie respectively. The Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. Exchange rate as of January 2010 is US$ 1 = $CAD 1.03045.
Download the Programme of Activities Posted in News From Members, Newsroom, NR – ADFIAP